APNU calling for resignation of Surujbally, Boodhoo
APNU (A Partnership for National Unity) said, yesterday, it is calling on Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr. Steve Surujbally and Chief Elections Officer, Mr. Gocool Boodhoo to “do the decent thing and resign.”
The call was made public at a press conference APNU hosted, at its Regent Street, Georgetown headquarters, by Dr. Rupert Roopnarine, Mr. Winston Felix and Mr. Mervyn Williams.
Williams read a statement which said a large section of the electorate has lost confidence in GECOM as presently constituted and operated.
“The commission is seen as partisan and not being independent, as the laws intend for it to be in a democratic society. In addition, the Carter Formula, which has been used over the years, has failed to deliver an independent commission. Consequently, there is need for a total overhaul of the commission,” he said.
Williams said APNU is adamant that the attitude and approach of Surujbally and Boodhoo do not help and fuel the lack of confidence in and the growing mistrust of the people for the Commission.
“The consistent failure of the Elections Commission to honour its word and provide early results is a clear indication of its incompetence. In addition, the long wait between the counting of the ballots at the place of poll and the official declaration of the results gives credence to the view that those sympathetic to the PPP/C, in the commission, were involved in the altering of the results to keep the PPP/C in government. In this regard, the Chairman of the Commission and the Chief Elections Officer have to take responsibility.
“What is worse, is that there is compelling evidence that they were in collusion with the PPP/C and were on the verge of incorrectly declaring the PPP/C to have won a majority when they did not.
“It was only as a result of the vigilance and quick action by the opposition members of the commission that the entire will of the people was not sacrificed at the altar of narrow partisan political interest. Clearly, the Elections Commission, under the present leadership, has lost its legitimacy,” said the statement.
Meanwhile, Roopnarine announced that the list of persons to serve on the Regional Democratic Councils (RDC) has already been complete, though some issues were encountered with Region 4 (Demerara/Mahaica).
As far as the parliamentary list is concerned, he said 23 or 24 names of the 26 required have been identified.
It was intended for this process to end yesterday, Roopnarine pointed out.